DavidYurman

Last year when we talked to David Yurman (David Yurman at Bloomingdales - Exclusive Interview), he spoke about working as a husband-and-wife team and alluded to the increasing involvement of his son in the family business. Evan Yurman has helped with the men's collections, and now, has even designed his own collection of women's eyewear (known to non-industry folks as "sunglasses") for David Yurman.

We talked to Evan Yurman, the next in line for the David Yurman empire, about more than just fancy shades -- read the interview below for a peek inside this fiery fashion heir; a talented designer in his own right. Just scroll down to see the amethyst-studded beauties which grace his sparkling collection ($695).

Luxist: Have you always been involved in the family business?

Evan Yurman: I officially joined the company in 2004. Before then, I spent time cutting and carving with my knife collection; it was part of my eventual growth into design. Creativity has always been part of my life, so it is great to have an outlet to explore my ideas.

L: What do you foresee in the future of the Yurman collections?

EY: We will continue to incorporate unique, artisanal elements into our collections while staying true to our brand DNA of innovation in the modern tradition. I like integrating different textures and motifs -- rhino, sea urchin, waves, chevron are some of my favorites.

As Fashion Editor at Neiman Marcus, Roopal Patel has one of the coolest jobs on the planet. I asked the fashion insider about the biggest fashion mistake people make and what she thinks are the hottest upcoming trends.

Q. What does a fashion editor for a major departments store do?

A. I scout up and coming talent and designers for the store, provide trend direction for the season and help translate that vision into our merchandise assortments with our buyers. It is important for the store to have one consistent message.

Q. What are the most popular trends for resort and spring 2010?

A. Not to give away the highly-coveted list that Senior VP/Fashion Director Ken Downing issues at the beginning of every season but ...blue is the color for both resort and spring. Neiman Marcus is embracing all shades of blue for every category. Tribal fusion was on every runway this season. Look to Givenchy for some of the must-have tribal print wedges and platforms of the season. The nude shoe is the new neutral of the season. The Fendi platform sandal [pictured above] is a must on our list.

Q. What is the most unusual fashion item you've seen in your career?

A. I am always amazed at how high the heel heights are at runway shows and how they get higher with every season. The models make it look so easy. The shoes at Alexander McQueen spring 2010 were over the top!

Q. Has Neiman Marcus changed in response to the economic climate? If so, how?

A. For the holidays, we have our "Little Gems" shop that features presents and gifts for under $100. There are also great [inexpensive] items in many of our designer collections. I found a silver stud pyramid ring from Stephen Webster for $275 and a great David Yurman silver infinity ring at $275.

Q. What is your favorite item in The Christmas Book?

A. I cannot help but to smile when I see the customized cupcake car. It's so original and unique. I also cannot wait to get my hands on the sequined leggings from La Rok and the John Hardy cuff bracelet for evening holiday sparkle.

Q. What is the one thing that makes a look?

A. The right accessory. The perfect handbag or shoes can change your look in seconds.

Q. What is the one common fashion mistake people make?

A. The only mistake one can make is not having fun with your wardrobe. Enjoy and translate the trends that work best for you.

David Yurman opened up a brand new "shop within a shop" at the iconic Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in NYC last week. Located right on the mezzanine with the cosmetics, the new David Yurman 775 sq. ft space is completely separate in design from the surrounding department store fluorescence. The opening party included not only David and his wife, Sybil, but members of the board at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, as a portion of the proceeds from the first week of the new shop will be donated to The Society of MSKCC.

The opening was an absolute madhouse (which is what happens when someone shows up at Bloomingdale's with free champagne), and definitely got the word out about David Yurman's new home at Bloomingdale's. I managed to pull the charming and jovial David Yurman himself away from the masses of adoring women for a quick interview about the new shop, working as a husband and wife team, charity and inspiration.

Luxist: So, why a shop within a shop?

David Yurman: Oh, why not? We've had a smaller shop here [at Bloomingdale's] for about six years, but this is the biggest shop [within another shop] we have, probably, in the world. We have our own ceiling, we have our own video ... it's as large a size as I would imagine I would want.

L: And did you design it yourself?

DY: No -- well, I designed it with Michael Gabellini. Originally we designed the furniture, the show cases. We worked for about 5-6 months with Michael -- great designer, great person to work with -- sometimes it can be difficult; two creative people with their concepts, but to me, [the shop] is like, warm, minimal, not even minimal. Warm modern. Very functional. I mean, we used oak, solid black walnut, and it's connected to our flagship, which opened in March. Not all our stores look alike. We have five different looks in fifteen stores. This is our new design and we love it. It will be here, it'll be in our flagship, we're opening up in Paris in March, but this is -- I call it 'the pavilion.'"

L: It's a pavilion within a shop.

DY: It's a pavilion within Bloomingdale's!

L: You work with so many charitable organizations -- what's your philosophy as far as giving back?

DY: It's actually for my parents. If you have enough, you don't need any more. What's enough? I mean, I definitely have enough, so, we give back. It's the DNA of our family. I mean, I was giving back on Saturdays when I was in high school. Or, three months every year, the last few years of high school, I worked at the MS Center, I worked with underprivileged and handicapped children.

L: Sounds like they raised you well.

DY: They told me giving back, working, being with people is just .. I would never [have done] this, personally. I wanted to play football, I wanted to hang out at the mall -- but it was the best thing I ever did. It's such a good feeling.

L: What's it like working as a husband and wife team?

DY: It's difficult and rewarding. We have a lot to talk about.

L: Who does what?

DY: We make one person. Sybil's probably more focused on marketing, but I weigh in on marketing. I'm more focused on design, product development.

L: She weighs in on that?

DY: She weighs in on that. Nothing happens without both of us signing off. If we don't both sign off, it doesn't happen. We've been married for 39 years.

L: What are you working on next?

DY: It's hard to describe in words, but a lot of extensions, evolutions. We're doing a lot more 'younger,' our son is doing the men's and watches, and bridal and also the high jewelry which is amazing materials, great design, and it's where he's growing in our business. It's a family.

L: And what keeps you inspired, where you you get your ideas?

DY: You know, the thing with the word 'get' -- you can't say 'get ideas' because you kinda make yourself available to them. It's a river, you sort of guide yourself.

L: So you're just open to [ideas], you don't go looking for them?

DY: No, I don't look -- well, I'm not blind. I look at women, like I was liking [a nearby woman's] earrings ... those are my earrings! Ha! I was saying I liked them, and they're mine.

He certainly is friendly and entertaining -- and it was hard to keep the ladies from ambushing him mid-interview! Be sure and visit the new David Yurman space next time you make it to Bloomingdale's in NYC, it's like a breath of fresh air amongst the fragrances -- and, of course, the jewelry is fabulous.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us, and David Yurman is celebrating (and supporting) by releasing these lavish pink dog tags for his Women's Tag Collection.

At left is the Pink Rhodonite and Sterling Silver Breast Cancer Dog Tag, which is emblazoned with the DY logo and costs $450. On the right is the extremely sparkly and eye-catching Pave Diamond-Encrusted model, available for $950.

These tags not only show your support for breast cancer victims and research, but they also have a great "I'm a survivor" vibe to them -- the dog tag theme is perfect. Never have pave diamonds looked so courageous.

Naturally, 10 percent of retail sales from these items goes directly to fund the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, so it's the perfect way to show your (actual) support, or to reward a survivor. Click here to purchase from David Yurman.

I would love to be an iPhone app developer that is well connected to the luxury world. I would have clients waiting in line to get their own iPhone app making it possible for trendy mobile phone goers to check out watches and jewelry on the go. It is really effective actually. People who have iPhones are eating up their free time by always playing with apps. What used to be time for important self reflection and idle thought can now be used for enjoying more media consumption. It makes sense to have this time filled with virtual window shopping. Pictured is one of David Yurman's newest watches, the Classic Chronograph as seen in the application.

David Yurman's free iPhone application gives you a view of their jewelry and watch collection. You can look at images of the items up close in glorious detail, check out promotional videos, find stores close by so that you get yell at your driver to quickly alter their course, share your top picks with buddies, and even buy watches. Purchasing is done through a "David Yurman personal shopper," but this is one step closer to Internet sales, which is a fantastic thing. If you want this application, and you have an iPhone, I don't need to tell you where to get it.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

David Yurman is celebrating Fashion's Night Out with a theme you might not expect -- Western. Turns out Yurman, known for his signature rope-like twisted cable work, is a cowboy at heart and an accomplished rider. He and his wife Sybil will be hosting an exclusive party at their Madison Avenue Boutique on September 10 complete with cocktails, BBQ-style hors d'oeuvres, country music and a raffle of the spectacular buckle above.

This stunning buckle is sterling silver and bronze with elegant, graceful wings and a picture jasper stone -- what a perfect, beautiful stone. The back is engraved with "1975" and "Putnam Art Works." For the uninitiated, Putman Art Works is the name of a duo which used to exhibit paintings and sculpture art at craft fairs back in the 70s ... that duo was none other than Sybil and David.

The buckle, which a rep for the company has declared "priceless," is a one-of-a-kind must-have for a true David Yurman enthusiast, and is sure to be a huge hit with anyone who appreciates craftsmanship. It serves as proof that true masters create masterpieces long before they're famous.

A portion of sales from the official FNO T-shirts, as well as a percentage from the raffle, will benefit the National September 11th Memorial & Museum.

There is a reason this new watch from David Yurman has the word "classic" in it. This is because the design references not only the classic "triple calendar" look, but also a classic style and decor. Triple calendar refers to the fact that the watch displays the date, date, and month. It also has a moon phase display and of course the time. Thus, the timepiece has the unoriginal name of "David Yurman Classic Moon Phase."

In an 18k white gold case, the watch is 43.5mm wide - certainly modern in stature. The crystal is sapphire with an AR coating making for a nicely legible luxury watch. The only other thing it could have used to make the dial easier to read are lume covered hands. Still, the tapered and faceted hands look nice. The watch has an automatic Dubois Depraz caliber 9000 movement inside. This is an ETA 2892-2 movement with a module attached for the calendar and moon phase functions.

Around the edge of the watch on the side, you'll find the signature "rope" design that David Yurman is known for. The Classic Moon Phase is a handsome and competent watch that makes up with classic appeal, what it loses in lacking much originality. The strap is black alligator, and the watch should be available relatively soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

I can recall my dad purchasing David Yurman pieces for my mom for special occasions throughout the years. I always appreciated the mix of metals, tasteful use of precious stones, and simple elegance never realizing his line expanded past women's jewelry into watches, fragrance, and now, sunglasses. Yurman's Eyewear Collection continues his timeless expressions into designs for both men and women adding an extra oomph to regular shades using 18K gold, sterling silver, tortoise, citrine and black onyx accents.

Debuted in 2008, David Yurman's Eyewear Collection incorporates classic cable, buckles and stones into the women's line while the men's sunglasses feature Zeiss lenses in custom colors and coatings. The prices range from $325 to $695 with high-end signature options available in solid gold with pavè diamond accents for quite a bit more. Peruse the gallery below to choose your unique shades for the summer.

David Yurman has just unrolled its latest collection of men's timepieces, The Classic, designed by chief watch designer and David's son, Evan Yurman. The three pieces in the collection each feature the kind of attention to detail you might expect from David Yurman: Swiss movement, guilloche dial work (what is essentially a French engraving technique that features intricate engine-turned details), and of course Yurman's signature chevron braid wrapped around the watch case.

The three watches include The Classic Moon Phase (shown above, retailing for $5800), The Classic Three Hand and The Classic Chronograph styles. Evan Yurman describes his designs as "traditional with a modern twist." Each will be available exclusively in David Yurman boutiques this May. The select group of David Yurman retailers will have to wait until Fall for their shipment.

I haven't had an opportunity to share this on Luxist yet but I adore David Yurman. His style is always consistent but fresh with new designs and changes in metals and stones. This particular partnership between sterling silver and pavé diamonds is my new favorite! The signature cable is still incorporated with glittering diamonds literally paving the way around each piece. It is truly stunning and you'll find everything from rings to bracelets, necklaces to earrings that you can mix and match together. Is it too late to put these on my wish list for the holidays?

We have always been of the opinion that jeweler David Yurman's designs don't quite live up to his gorgeous advertising campaigns. It's almost as though his own creative team senses this, as the ads seem designed to downplay the ostentatiousness of most of the jewelry, with its two-tone metals, gauche gemstones and clunky styling.

The pictures by contrast are simple, elegant and stunning: some of the world's most beautiful women shot in classic black-and-white by famed photographer Peter Lindbergh. Kate Moss has appeared more than once, and is back for the glamorous new fall campaign, pictured here. Other subjects have included Daria Werbowy, Naomi Watts, Amber Valletta and Natalia Vodianova. No-one could make the baubles look better than that all-star lineup.

Mary-Kate Olsen recently attended a soiree in honor of jewelry designer David Yurman. Naturally she was wearing her signature long layered necklaces by none other than David Yurman himself. Mary-Kate who's never one to conform, has been layering necklaces from Yurman's men's collection for a few years now. Yurman started his company in 1979 with the desire to "fuse art, fashion and fine jewelry." Yurman's designs range from a single strand silver necklace costing $1,250.00to a three tier 18kt gold necklace adorned with stones at $4,950.

[via People's Stylewatch]

Sometimes guys want a little bling too, you know? But it's hard to find that right balance of flash and masculinity, and although I'm not claiming this Pavé Diamond Dog Tag by David Yurman does the trick (it's all about personal preference and I'm not even a guy) the mix of pave diamonds and dog tag style seems to at least be in the right ballpark. It has a total of 1.15 carats total with a sterling silver logo, cable trim, "925" inlay, and a sterling silver chain pulling the whole thing together. Available at Neiman Marcus for $1,950.

Last week Susana of The Bling Blog did an interesting post on "statement rings" the latest phrase used to describe knuckleduster cocktail rings. On the list was David Yurman's big amethyst ring for women. Yurman however, doesn't want the gents to be left out of the statement ring phenomenon so he has created some pretty chunky rings for men. His Exotic Stone collection features more "manly" stones. No glittery amethyst or blue topaz here, the only flash you will get is a shimmer of chatoyancy (a cat's eye like bit of light play) from the pieterstite used on one of the rings. Other stones used include fossilized dinosaur bone, African agate and the picture jasper (shown here) which sells for $675. A wee bit pricey for sterling silver and picture jasper, considering this is the stuff I used to collect when I was a kid because it was the jewelry I could afford with my own money.

At first glance, David Yurman's Large Crossover Diamond Ring appears to be a matching set of rings that are all worn together, but it is actually just one wide band. The cable detailing gives the effect that the ring is loosely coiled around the finger, rather than just set in place. The gold bands are 18K with an overlying band of pave diamonds. It is only available women's sizes 6 and 7. Price: $1,650.